Le Present (Present Tense) Conjugation of the French Verb positionner

Introduction to the verb positionner

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The English translation of positionner is “to position.” It is pronounced “po-zi-see-oh-nay.”

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Positionner comes from the French word “position,” which is derived from the Latin word “positio,” meaning “placement” or “position.” In everyday French, positionner is most often used to describe the act of arranging or placing something in a specific location or position.

Examples:

Je vais positionner la table au centre de la pièce. (I am going to position the table in the center of the room.)
Il est important de bien positionner les éléments dans ce graphique. (It is important to properly position the elements in this chart.)
Nous devons positionner nos produits de manière stratégique pour attirer plus de clients. (We need to position our products strategically to attract more customers.)

Positionner – About the French Present Tense

The French present tense, also known as “le présent,” is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or for actions that are habitual, general truths, or that will occur in the near future. It’s the most basic and common tense in French.

To take a deep dive into all the French tenses then see our article on Mastering French Tense Conjugation.

Common Everyday Usage Patterns For Le Present

1. Describing Actions in the Present: The present tense is used to describe actions happening right now or at the moment of speaking. For example: “Je parle avec mon ami” (I am talking to my friend).

2. Expressing Habits and Routines: The present tense is used to talk about habitual actions or routines. For example: “Je travaille tous les jours” (I work every day).

3. Stating General Truths: The present tense is used to express general truths or facts. For example: “La Terre tourne autour du soleil” (The Earth orbits around the sun).

4. Talking about Near Future: The present tense can be used to express future actions that are very imminent or part of a planned schedule. For example: “Je pars demain matin” (I am leaving tomorrow morning).

Interactions with Other Tenses

– Present vs. Future Tense: In some cases, the French present tense can be used to express the future when the context makes it clear that the action is imminent. However, for actions further in the future or less certain, the future tense is typically used.

– Present vs. Past Tenses: To describe actions that occurred in the past, you would use the past tenses like the passé composé (compound past) or the imparfait (imperfect). The choice between these past tenses depends on the specific aspect and circumstances of the past action.

– Present vs. Conditional Tense: The conditional tense is used to express actions that are dependent on a condition. If a condition is met, the action may happen. The present tense is used for actions in the present, while the conditional is used for hypothetical or future actions based on conditions.

– Present vs. Imperative: The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. The present tense is used for general statements, and the imperative is used for direct orders or requests.

Understanding the French present tense and its interactions with other tenses is crucial for effective communication in French. Without it, you cannot become proficient!

Table of the Present Tense Conjugation of positionner

Pronoun	Conjugation	Short Example	English Translation
Je	Je positionne	Je positionne mon bureau près de la fenêtre.	I position my desk near the window.
Tu	Tu positionnes	Tu positionnes tes affaires sur le bureau.	You position your things on the desk.
Il	Il positionne	Il positionne son corps de façon droite.	He positions his body upright.
Elle	Elle positionne	Elle positionne les livres dans l’ordre alphabétique.	She positions the books in alphabetical order.
On	On positionne	On positionne les chaises autour de la table.	We position the chairs around the table.
Nous	Nous positionnons	Nous positionnons les caméras pour la réunion.	We position the cameras for the meeting.
Vous	Vous positionnez	Vous positionnez les produits sur les étagères.	You position the products on the shelves.
Ils	Ils positionnent	Ils positionnent les joueurs sur le terrain.	They position the players on the field.
Elles	Elles positionnent	Elles positionnent les fleurs dans le vase.	They position the flowers in the vase.